Latest news with #MichaelChampion
Gulf Business
5 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi Business and Investment Summit
Saudi Rising: Key Driving Forces behind the Kingdom's Economic Growth As Saudi Arabia fast-tracks its economic transformation under Vision 2030, the Gulf Business – Saudi Business and Investment Summit will bring together influential voices from government, business, and global institutions to explore how the Kingdom is translating ambition into action. The summit will spotlight innovation, regulatory reform, public-private collaboration , and strategic investment sectors fuelling the Kingdom's emergence as a globally competitive economy. With a strong focus on doing business in Saudi Arabia , discussions will unpack the evolving investment climate, growth opportunities, and practical pathways for companies looking to enter or expand in the market. When: 03/09/2025, 9:00am Where: Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers ( ) Agenda 09:00 – 10:00 | Registration & Networking Arrival of guests, coffee and light refreshments. A chance to connect with fellow delegates before the sessions begin. 10:00 – 10:10 | Opening Keynote – Michael Champion, CEO, Tahaluf 10:10 – 11:40 | Majlis: Saudi's Economic Transformation – Progress and Priorities How are Saudi Arabia's key sectors progressing against Vision 2030 goals? This extended session explores investment momentum, cross-sector collaboration, and the enabling regulatory landscape. Moderator: Annabelle Mander, EVP, Tahaluf Panellists: Saud Adham, Director of Policy & Innovation, Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO, Jetex Abhay Bhargava, Managing Director, Frost & Sullivan Middle East Osama AlZoubi, Vice President, Phosphorus Cybersecurity 11:40 – 11:50 | Audience Q&A 11:50 – 12:20 | In Conversation: Industry Leader Spotlight A one-on-one conversation with a senior leader shaping the future of business in Saudi Arabia. Host: Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business Guest to be revealed 12:20 – 12:50 | Panel: The International Perspective on Doing Business in Saudi Arabia Global firms share insights on market entry, localisation, regulatory navigation and the evolving commercial landscape. Moderator: Gareth van Zyl, Group Editor, Gulf Business Panellists: Maher Abou Nasr, MD, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Saudi Arabia Ravi K Ranjan, Founder, Velocity1 ; Strategic Director, The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum Senior executives from GE Vernova and Huawei and other top global corporates. 12:50 – 13:00 | Audience Q&A 13:10 – 13:15 | Closing Remarks Gareth van Zyl , Group Editor, Gulf Business Summarising key insights and setting the stage for continued engagement in the Kingdom's business landscape. 13:15 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch A seated lunch for attendees to continue discussions and explore future collaboration. For sponsorship opportunities, please email Manish Chopra
Zawya
13-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
LEAP 2025 closes with record $820mln economic impact for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia
RELATED TOPICS TECHNOLOGY RELATED COMPANIES Informa SELA Saudi Federatio Diriyah Gate Co Tahaluf STC Life Evnts Inv Fnd Cityscape Global Capital Markets at PWC. Assets Under Management (AUM) at the show reach US$22 trillion, a 400 per cent year-on-year increase Tahaluf commits US$80 million tenancy to Malham venue, guaranteeing mega industry events in Riyadh for the next four years Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia's global award-winning technology event co-organised by Tahaluf with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), closed a record-breaking fourth edition Thursday, underlining the Kingdom's growing importance as a tech incubator, disruptor, and deal-making hub. At the end of day four, Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, took to the LEAP 2025 main stage at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, to reveal this year's edition – which was attended by 200,000 industry professionals – shattered a number of records. Champion announced the economic impact of this week's show, on Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, will be a mammoth US$820 million. Champion insisted there is more to come, stating the event and the robust partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) and SAFCSP will continue taking giant strides forward, as he announced a US$80m tenancy agreement to continue bringing Tahaluf mega-events, such as LEAP; world-renowned real estate expo Cityscape Global; CPHI, the Middle East's leading pharma event; and global fintech platform Money20/20, to Malham for the next four years. Champion said: 'As we close the curtain on another incredible edition of LEAP, the realisation of how impactful these events are to the Kingdom is truly eye-opening. Through our events since 2022 we have realised an economic impact of US$10 billion to the Saudi economy, with this set to reach US$20 billion by 2027. 'We have also committed to a US$80 million tenancy here in Malham over a four-year term that will allow us, along with our partners SELA, to keep improving this venue and make it a truly world-class experience for the millions of visitors we will be attracting across our events in the lifespan of the agreement.' Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, joined Champion on stage to announce the organisers had delivered on their promise of delivering quality, revealing LEAP 2025 had welcomed 825 first-time exhibitors and more than 1,900 investors – 74 per cent of whom travelled to Riyadh from overseas – with a combined US$22 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM), representing a 400 percent year-on-year increase. 'The robust increase in our international market presence year-on-year, further cements LEAP's status as a deal-making hub,' said Mander. 'We have also exceeded all previous editions on confirmed and committed onsite investments, with this year totalling over US$15 billion across AI, data centre expansions, and smart energy sector growth. I would like to thank all our partners who put their trust in us and see the incredible benefits LEAP offers as a platform to announce such critical regional and international partnerships.' AI is an Ecosystem That is Redefining Government and Industries and Leadership, says PwC Chairman Artificial Intelligence is an ecosystem redefining everything from government administration and industries, to business leadership and everyday innovation. So it is imperative people are educated not to fear it, but rather trust its potential, according to Mohamed Kande, global chairman of PwC, one of the world's largest professional services companies. Talking on the LEAP 2025 main stage on the final day of an action-packed four-day event, Kande outlined how emerging technologies, including AI, are redefining industries. He cited the example of technology's convergence with healthcare, referring to a smart ring on his finger which captures personal health data. 'We are finding that participants in industries are very different to what they used to be,' said Kande. 'Technology companies are now involved in many different industries. Take the example of how we feed ourselves. In agribusiness, we now have technology businesses heavily invested. What technology has done is to converge industries. The competition now, looking at where they can add value, is very different to what it used to be. Technology is reshaping how businesses and governments are providing their services.' Elaborating on the construct that AI 'is a convergence of the physical and digital', the PwC boss used the example of physical data centres, which house digital technology, yet one of the major things needed to allow data centres to work is cooling equipment, which is physical. 'AI really is an ecosystem,' he said. 'You have digital and physical coming together to deliver the intelligence. No country has the capability to deliver all components of the AI ecosystem, and that is a big goal for Saudi Arabia. He then told attendees that one of the biggest barriers to realising the true benefits of AI is human distrust: 'Trust is the commodity of business. Without it, consumers do not purchase the products, and it's the same with AI. People still fear artificial intelligence. People fear what they don't understand. You have to help people understand, so they can trust us. AI is not going to replace humans; we have to show them what they can use it for. Transparency is key.' Asked for his advice on how business leaders should be approaching AI adoption, Kande added: 'We have all been trained to run businesses in a certain way – better, faster, cheaper. Now we have to do things differently. It's no longer a game where we have to provide the answers, it's a game of experimentation. You cannot delegate learning. It's no longer a game of faster, better, cheaper, it's a game of choices. You might make mistakes, but we need different leadership skills.' Meanwhile, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, Diriyah Gate, told delegates how his team are using technology to make the 14 million square-metre development run and 'make life better than it was the day before'. Insisting there are often 'too many buzzwords' when it comes to technology, the hospitality and tourism leader told the audience how, through partnerships with companies such as STC, Diriyah Gate is implementing smart cities technology to enhance sustainability, livability, walkability, and improve quality of life for its residents, visitors, and wildlife, adding how the planting and caring of millions of trees has resulted in the influx of bird species. Diriyah is, he said, 'a cultural hub above, and a smart city below'. He added: 'When you look after a project the size of Geneva, you have to be efficient and we are very fortunate to have a team of people who make our technology systems talk to one another.' Moneyball 2.0: The Next Era of Sports Investments As the global sports industry continues to grow exponentially, investors are playing a pivotal role in shaping its future, according to a leading global sports investor. Speaking at the Sports Tech Arena, Finn Hatherell, Venture Partner at BVP, discussed opportunities in sports investments, from venture capital in emerging sports tech to strategic investments in leagues, teams, and esports. 'One thing to be aware of in the sector is that sport is a highly cyclical and ever-changing industry, and, from what I've seen with early-stage sports tech companies, selling to elite organisations is not that straightforward,' he said. 'I had one company recently, which, for about two years, was piloting its technology at Liverpool Football Club. It was an AI software that helped athletes optimise their training and prevent injuries by showing them how to do exercises and training efficiently. 'After two years, it got to the stage where the club wanted to onboard the tech full-time. I don't know if anybody remembers what happened last year, but Jurgen Klopp sadly resigned, and with that comes a whole S&C coach, a new head of sports, a new head of training. So suddenly, this football club that you've been working with has changed completely, and you're dealing with new personnel. 'One thing I've noticed about sales cycles in sports tech is that they are highly unpredictable. It can be difficult selling to the world's top sports clubs as a lot is left to chance, but it also can be highly lucrative at the same time.' For more information on the event and ticket options, visit About LEAP: Saudi Arabia's desire to shoot for something beyond the realms of the possible presents the ultimate backdrop for LEAP. LEAP showcases the Kingdom's technology ambition on a global stage as it continues to grow as a hub connecting three continents. The figures speak from themselves as LEAP 2024 had an attendance of over 215,000, making it the most attended tech event in the world. LEAP features the inspiring tech of tomorrow across all major sectors including health, finance, energy, education, digital entertainment, transport, smart cities and more. The event is also led by a speaker faculty of globally celebrated technology innovators, focussing on the most innovative tech case studies from around the world. LEAP is not like any other tech event, from the ground up the community, stakeholders and project team are challenged every day to do something wildly creative and bold, something that reflects the seismic advances in tech adoption being seen in Saudi Arabia. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP & DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI.
Tahawul Tech
12-02-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
LEAP 2025: NEOM, DataVolt announce deal to establish first sustainable AI data centre in KSA
The second day of LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia's award-winning global tech event, produced further announcements totalling US$6.13 billion of investments in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Leading the roll call of mega investments to continue the evolution of the Kingdom's technology ecosystem, DataVolt and Saudi Arabian giga-project NEOM announced a US$5 billion partnership to establish the first fully sustainable AI data centre with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in Oxagon – the floating industrial city being developed in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Mobily, the Saudi Arabian telecommunications services company, announced an investment of US$911 million in strategic projects to develop digital infrastructure, including submarine cable projects and the development of data centres across the Kingdom. Elsewhere, Zoom announced a US$75m investment to boost AI and innovation, and establish new data centres to support technology companies and government entities; Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced a US$51m investment in private fibre-optic networks; while SKYFive, the leading telecommunications and internet services provider for aircraft, revealed a US$100m investment in non-terrestrial communications services focused on championing the advanced air mobility sector. 'As we enter the halfway mark of LEAP 2025, we have already surpassed confirmed investments of previous editions and have surpassed US$40 billion in total confirmed investments since we launched LEAP four years ago,' said Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP). 'What we're seeing this year is commitments being made across sectors, with AI and data centres taking the lead and larger collaborations between local and international businesses, which is at the heart of what LEAP is offering as a platform.' Smart Contact Lens Advances Offer Unique Vision of Future At LEAP'S all-new Tech Arena, a dedicated space for advanced multi-sector technology demonstrations, Dr Valentyn Volkov, Co-Founder of XPANCEO, explained how an evolution in technology, materials, and AI-based machine-learning is fast-tracking rapid advances in smart contact lenses. 'At LEAP, we see the future happening in front of our eyes; today, we see that future literally on our eyes with revolutionary technology that will completely evolve the way we interact with real and digital worlds,' Dr Volkov told enthralled spectators during a packed session entitled Beyond Silicon: How Smart Contact Lenses Are Shaping the Next Generation of Computing. With XPANCEO planning to deliver the first working prototype by the end of 2026, Dr Volkov said the company is developing soft and rigid contact lens versions with a goal of producing a final product no more than one millimetre in thickness despite housing an ultra-compact integrated projector, biosensors, camera, adaptive prescription lens, batteries, and data and power antenna. The invisible and almost weightless device prototype has thousands of potential uses, added Dr Volkov: 'We believe the next step is not about making smart devices smaller; it is more about ensuring seamless integration of those devices into our everyday life – and that's where the smart contact lens comes in. The product can deliver a full-screen, full-colour, augmented reality experience, with potential for private health monitoring, or even superpowers, such as increased night-time visibility, or zooming into objects far in the distance. The device gives the user ultimate control over everything in their field of vision. This is no longer science fiction; it is almost ready-made reality.' Describing the XPANCEO team as 'modern day alchemists', Dr Volkov outlined a future where smart contact lens users will be able to control their ophthalmic devices through advanced neural interfacing. He added: 'They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul, which is very true, but from a genetic point of view, the eyes are part of the brain. Therefore, if we can connect our neural interfaces onto the lens, users will be able to communicate with the device via their brain,' concluded Dr Volkov. Saudi Gaming Ecosystem Witnessing Unprecedented Growth In an opening keynote session on LEAP's CODE Stage, which is highlighting speakers and companies empowering digital national capacities to accelerate the process of digital transformation, Mohammed Robayan, Deputy Minister for Technology at MCIT, reiterated Saudi Arabia's aim to leverage the US$220bn global gaming market to drive job creation and GDP growth. 'As the Kingdom tries to diversify from oil as part of Vision 2030, gaming and esports hold massive potential and are being driven through projects and initiatives such as the Ignite Digital Content Programme, and the Saudi Digital Academy, which has so far trained more than 1,500 people in the field,' said Deputy Minister Robayan. When it comes to investment, Robayan also highlighted Ignite's 'Gaming Sector Financing Programme', which is seeking to support growth in the private sector through gaming and esports with an investment budget of SAR300 million, increasing the amount of funding and options available to small and medium enterprises operating in the digital content sector. Accenture Technology Vision 2025 Report Predicts AI Will Unleash Unprecedented Business Autonomy in Future Workplaces New research from Accenture, announced on the second day of LEAP 2025, has pointed to a new era of digitisation — where AI continuously learns and drives new levels of autonomy across organisations. The Accenture study suggests trust in AI's performance is the single most important measure organisations need for the technology to achieve its promise. The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 report explores how the future is being shaped by AI-powered autonomy. As diffusion of AI accelerates across the enterprise sphere and wider society faster than any prior technology, 65 per cent of Saudi-based executives believe it brings new urgency to reinvention and how technology systems and the processes they enable are designed, built, and operated. The research also predicts the technology will increasingly act as a development partner, power robotic bodies in the physical world, and foster a new symbiotic relationship with people to bring out the best in each other. 'The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 gives leaders a look into what's ahead when AI continuously learns, acts autonomously with, and on behalf of, people, and pushes enterprises and people into new and exciting ways to continuously reinvent,' said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture. 'But unlocking the benefits of AI will only be possible if leaders seize the opportunity to inject and develop trust in its performance and outcomes in a systematic manner, so businesses and people can unlock AI's incredible possibilities.' More than 1,800 tech brands and 680 start-ups are exhibiting at LEAP 2025 this week, alongside a stellar lineup of 1,000-plus expert speakers across 15 stages, highlighting the tech that is shaping tomorrow. For more information on the event and ticket options, visit
Gulf Business
11-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
LEAP 2025: AI data centre, key tech deals signed
Image credit: Supplied photo DataVolt and Saudi Arabian giga-project NEOM have announced a $5bn partnership to establish the first fully sustainble AI data centre in the country. The data centre will boast of a a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in Oxagon – the floating industrial city being developed in the Red Sea. Read: Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, the company which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), emphasised on the fact, it is halfway though Important: Other investment announcements Mobily Other than the data centre, Mobily, the Saudi Arabian telecommunications services company, announced an investment of $911m in strategic projects to develop digital infrastructure, including submarine cable projects and the development of data centres across the country. Zoom Zoom also announced a $75m investment to boost AI and innovation and also establish new data centres in order to create a support structure for tech companies as well as government entities. Saudi Arabia Railways and SKYFive The other Saudi entities such as Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and SKYFive announced the investments of $51m and $100m respectively. Saudi Arabia Railways intends to invest in private fibre-optic networks, while SKYFive, which is the leading telecommunications and internet services provider for aircraft intends to invest in non-terrestrial communications services focused on advocating the advanced air mobility sector. AI and data centres took the lead at LEAP 2025 this year, with other major investment collaborations between the local as well as the international businesses.
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
LEAP 2025: NEOM, DataVolt anounce $5bln deal to establish first sustainable AI data centre in Saudi
LEAP's new Tech Arena spotlights gamut of future tech solutions and products, including revolutionary smart contact lens prototype Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – The second day of LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia's award-winning global tech event, produced further announcements totalling US$6.13 billion of investments in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Leading the roll call of mega investments to continue the evolution of the Kingdom's technology ecosystem, DataVolt and Saudi Arabian giga-project NEOM announced a US$5 billion partnership to establish the first fully sustainable AI data centre with a capacity of 1.5 gigawatts in Oxagon – the floating industrial city being developed in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Mobily, the Saudi Arabian telecommunications services company, announced an investment of US$911 million in strategic projects to develop digital infrastructure, including submarine cable projects and the development of data centres across the Kingdom. Elsewhere, Zoom announced a US$75m investment to boost AI and innovation, and establish new data centres to support technology companies and government entities; Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) announced a US$51m investment in private fibre-optic networks; while SKYFive, the leading telecommunications and internet services provider for aircraft, revealed a US$100m investment in non-terrestrial communications services focused on championing the advanced air mobility sector. 'As we enter the halfway mark of LEAP 2025, we have already surpassed confirmed investments of previous editions and have surpassed US$40 billion in total confirmed investments since we launched LEAP four years ago,' said Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP). 'What we're seeing this year is commitments being made across sectors, with AI and data centres taking the lead and larger collaborations between local and international businesses, which is at the heart of what LEAP is offering as a platform.' Smart Contact Lens Advances Offer Unique Vision of Future At LEAP'S all-new Tech Arena, a dedicated space for advanced multi-sector technology demonstrations, Dr Valentyn Volkov, Co-Founder of XPANCEO, explained how an evolution in technology, materials, and AI-based machine-learning is fast-tracking rapid advances in smart contact lenses. 'At LEAP, we see the future happening in front of our eyes; today, we see that future literally on our eyes with revolutionary technology that will completely evolve the way we interact with real and digital worlds,' Dr Volkov told enthralled spectators during a packed session entitled Beyond Silicon: How Smart Contact Lenses Are Shaping the Next Generation of Computing. With XPANCEO planning to deliver the first working prototype by the end of 2026, Dr Volkov said the company is developing soft and rigid contact lens versions with a goal of producing a final product no more than one millimetre in thickness despite housing an ultra-compact integrated projector, biosensors, camera, adaptive prescription lens, batteries, and data and power antenna. The invisible and almost weightless device prototype has thousands of potential uses, added Dr Volkov: 'We believe the next step is not about making smart devices smaller; it is more about ensuring seamless integration of those devices into our everyday life – and that's where the smart contact lens comes in. The product can deliver a full-screen, full-colour, augmented reality experience, with potential for private health monitoring, or even superpowers, such as increased night-time visibility, or zooming into objects far in the distance. The device gives the user ultimate control over everything in their field of vision. This is no longer science fiction; it is almost ready-made reality.' Describing the XPANCEO team as 'modern day alchemists', Dr Volkov outlined a future where smart contact lens users will be able to control their ophthalmic devices through advanced neural interfacing. He added: 'They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul, which is very true, but from a genetic point of view, the eyes are part of the brain. Therefore, if we can connect our neural interfaces onto the lens, users will be able to communicate with the device via their brain,' concluded Dr Volkov. Saudi Gaming Ecosystem Witnessing Unprecedented Growth In an opening keynote session on LEAP's CODE Stage, which is highlighting speakers and companies empowering digital national capacities to accelerate the process of digital transformation, Mohammed Robayan, Deputy Minister for Technology at MCIT, reiterated Saudi Arabia's aim to leverage the US$220bn global gaming market to drive job creation and GDP growth. 'As the Kingdom tries to diversify from oil as part of Vision 2030, gaming and esports hold massive potential and are being driven through projects and initiatives such as the Ignite Digital Content Programme, and the Saudi Digital Academy, which has so far trained more than 1,500 people in the field,' said Deputy Minister Robayan. When it comes to investment, Robayan also highlighted Ignite's 'Gaming Sector Financing Programme', which is seeking to support growth in the private sector through gaming and esports with an investment budget of SAR300 million, increasing the amount of funding and options available to small and medium enterprises operating in the digital content sector. Accenture Technology Vision 2025 Report Predicts AI Will Unleash Unprecedented Business Autonomy in Future Workplaces New research from Accenture, announced on the second day of LEAP 2025, has pointed to a new era of digitisation -- where AI continuously learns and drives new levels of autonomy across organisations. The Accenture study suggests trust in AI's performance is the single most important measure organisations need for the technology to achieve its promise. The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 report explores how the future is being shaped by AI-powered autonomy. As diffusion of AI accelerates across the enterprise sphere and wider society faster than any prior technology, 65 per cent of Saudi-based executives believe it brings new urgency to reinvention and how technology systems and the processes they enable are designed, built, and operated. The research also predicts the technology will increasingly act as a development partner, power robotic bodies in the physical world, and foster a new symbiotic relationship with people to bring out the best in each other. "The Accenture Technology Vision 2025 gives leaders a look into what's ahead when AI continuously learns, acts autonomously with, and on behalf of, people, and pushes enterprises and people into new and exciting ways to continuously reinvent," said Julie Sweet, chair and CEO, Accenture. 'But unlocking the benefits of AI will only be possible if leaders seize the opportunity to inject and develop trust in its performance and outcomes in a systematic manner, so businesses and people can unlock AI's incredible possibilities." More than 1,800 tech brands and 680 start-ups are exhibiting at LEAP 2025 this week, alongside a stellar lineup of 1,000-plus expert speakers across 15 stages, highlighting the tech that is shaping tomorrow. For more information on the event and ticket options, visit -Ends- About LEAP: Saudi Arabia's desire to shoot for something beyond the realms of the possible presents the ultimate backdrop for LEAP. LEAP showcases the Kingdom's technology ambition on a global stage as it continues to grow as a hub connecting three continents. The figures speak from themselves as LEAP 2024 had an attendance of over 215,000, making it the most attended tech event in the world. LEAP features the inspiring tech of tomorrow across all major sectors including health, finance, energy, education, digital entertainment, transport, smart cities and more. The event is also led by a speaker faculty of globally celebrated technology innovators, focussing on the most innovative tech case studies from around the world. LEAP is not like any other tech event, from the ground up the community, stakeholders and project team are challenged every day to do something wildly creative and bold, something that reflects the seismic advances in tech adoption being seen in Saudi Arabia. About Tahaluf: Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms. Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world's largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future. In 2024 Tahaluf was responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP & DeepFest, as well as 24 Fintech, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI.
